Injured reliever Bass progressing nicely, close to rehab assignment

Brandon Guyer slides safely home in front of catcher Carlos Corporan to score off of a sacrifice fly by Sean Rodriguez during the eighth inning.

June 22: Rays 5, Astros 2

Brandon Guyer slides safely home in front of catcher Carlos Corporan to score off of a sacrifice fly by Sean Rodriguez during the eighth inning.

Photo: Brian Blanco / Getty Images

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Umpire Brian Knight makes the call as Astros catcher Carlos Corporan catches Desmond Jennings attempting to steal home to end the third inning.

Umpire Brian Knight makes the call as Astros catcher Carlos Corporan catches Desmond Jennings attempting to steal home to end the third inning.

Photo: Brian Blanco / Getty Images

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Astros catcher Carlos Corporan catches Desmond Jennings as he attempts to steal home to end the third inning.

Astros catcher Carlos Corporan catches Desmond Jennings as he attempts to steal home to end the third inning.

Photo: Brian Blanco / Getty Images

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A fan catches a foul ball hit by Astros' Jose Altuve as Rays third baseman Evan Longoria dives into the stands for the ball during the third inning.

A fan catches a foul ball hit by Astros' Jose Altuve as Rays third baseman Evan Longoria dives into the stands for the ball during the third inning.

Photo: Phelan M. Ebenhack / Associated Press

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Jonathan Villar scores on Jose Altuve's single during the third inning.

Jonathan Villar scores on Jose Altuve's single during the third inning.

Photo: Phelan M. Ebenhack / Associated Press

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Dallas Keuchel works during the first inning.

Dallas Keuchel works during the first inning.

Photo: Brian Blanco / Getty Images

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Former Astro Erik Bedard throws during the first inning.

Former Astro Erik Bedard throws during the first inning.

Photo: Brian Blanco / Getty Images

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Dexter Fowler, right, is congratulated by coach Pat Listach while rounding third base after hitting a solo home run off Bay Rays starting pitcher Erik Bedard during the first inning.

Dexter Fowler, right, is congratulated by coach Pat Listach while rounding third base after hitting a solo home run off Bay Rays starting pitcher Erik Bedard during the first inning.

Photo: Phelan M. Ebenhack / Associated Press

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Dexter Fowler celebrates after crossing home plate after hitting a solo home run off of pitcher Erik Bedard during the first inning.

Dexter Fowler celebrates after crossing home plate after hitting a solo home run off of pitcher Erik Bedard during the first inning.

Photo: Brian Blanco / Getty Images

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The Rays' Ben Zobrist, left, scores past Astros catcher Carlos Corporan on a single hit by Evan Longoria during the first inning.

The Rays' Ben Zobrist, left, scores past Astros catcher Carlos Corporan on a single hit by Evan Longoria during the first inning.

Photo: Phelan M. Ebenhack / Associated Press

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June 21: Rays 8, Astros 0

Evan Longoria scores in the fifth inning.

June 21: Rays 8, Astros 0

Evan Longoria scores in the fifth inning.

Photo: Scott Iskowitz / Getty Images

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George Springer dives near the wall trying to make the catch of a double from a Matt Joyce in the fifth inning.

George Springer dives near the wall trying to make the catch of a double from a Matt Joyce in the fifth inning.

Photo: Scott Iskowitz / Getty Images

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Jon Singleton checks his swing during the fourth inning.

Jon Singleton checks his swing during the fourth inning.

Photo: Scott Iskowitz / Getty Images

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Jon Singleton comes to the mound to talk with Jake Buchanan during is first MLB start during the fourth inning.

Jon Singleton comes to the mound to talk with Jake Buchanan during is first MLB start during the fourth inning.

Photo: Scott Iskowitz / Getty Images

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Rays starter Jake Odorizzi works during the first inning.

Rays starter Jake Odorizzi works during the first inning.

Photo: Steve Nesius / Associated Press

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Jake Buchanan works during his first MLB start.

Jake Buchanan works during his first MLB start.

Photo: Steve Nesius / Associated Press

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Jon Singleton reacts after striking out against Rays pitcher Jake Odorizzi during the fourth inning.

Jon Singleton reacts after striking out against Rays pitcher Jake Odorizzi during the fourth inning.

Photo: Steve Nesius / Associated Press

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Jon Singleton, left, reaches for the throw from pitcher Jake Buchanan to force out Rays' Brandon Guyer during the first inning.

Jon Singleton, left, reaches for the throw from pitcher Jake Buchanan to force out Rays' Brandon Guyer during the first inning.

Photo: Steve Nesius / Associated Press

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Astros shortstop Marwin Gonzalez, top, leaps over Rays' Desmond Jennings after a force-out at second base during the fourth inning.

Astros shortstop Marwin Gonzalez, top, leaps over Rays' Desmond Jennings after a force-out at second base during the fourth inning.

Photo: Steve Nesius / Associated Press

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Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, left, looks on as right fielder George Springer (4) fields an RBI bloop-single hit by Rays' Evan Longoria during the first inning.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, left, looks on as right fielder George Springer (4) fields an RBI bloop-single hit by Rays' Evan Longoria during the first inning.

Photo: Steve Nesius / Associated Press

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June 20: Astros 3, Rays 1

Jose Altuve fields the ball from his knees during the second inning.

June 20: Astros 3, Rays 1

Jose Altuve fields the ball from his knees during the second inning.

Photo: Scott Iskowitz / Getty Images

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George Springer high fives third base coach Pat Listach after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning.

George Springer high fives third base coach Pat Listach after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning.

Photo: Chris O'Meara / Associated Press

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Astros manager Bo Porter, left, talks to home plate umpire Fieldin Culbreth during the first inning.

Astros manager Bo Porter, left, talks to home plate umpire Fieldin Culbreth during the first inning.

Photo: Chris O'Meara / Associated Press

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Jose Altuve congratulates George Springer (4) after Springer hit a two-run home run during the third inning.

Jose Altuve congratulates George Springer (4) after Springer hit a two-run home run during the third inning.

Photo: Chris O'Meara / Associated Press

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George Springer, right, celebrates with on-deck batter Jon Singleton after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning.

George Springer, right, celebrates with on-deck batter Jon Singleton after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning.

Photo: Chris O'Meara / Associated Press

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Astros starting pitcher Jarred Cosart delivers during the first inning.

Astros starting pitcher Jarred Cosart delivers during the first inning.

Photo: Chris O'Meara / Associated Press

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Logan Forsythe of the Tampa Bay Rays tags Jason Castro out on his way to third base during the second inning.

Logan Forsythe of the Tampa Bay Rays tags Jason Castro out on his way to third base during the second inning.

Photo: Scott Iskowitz / Getty Images

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Jose Altuve bats during the first inning.

Jose Altuve bats during the first inning.

Photo: Chris O'Meara / Associated Press

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Dexter Fowler slides safely into second base during the fifth inning.

Dexter Fowler slides safely into second base during the fifth inning.

Photo: Scott Iskowitz / Getty Images

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Jose Altuve forces Brandon Guyer at second base and relays the throw to first base to turn double play during the second inning.

Jose Altuve forces Brandon Guyer at second base and relays the throw to first base to turn double play during the second inning.

Photo: Chris O'Meara / Associated Press

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June 19: Rays 5, Astros 0

Collin McHugh pitches during the first inning.

June 19: Rays 5, Astros 0

Collin McHugh pitches during the first inning.

Photo: Brian Blanco / Getty Images

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Jon Singleton reacts after striking out swinging to end the top of the first inning.

Jon Singleton reacts after striking out swinging to end the top of the first inning.

Photo: Brian Blanco / Getty Images

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Astros manager Bo Porter looks on from the dugout during the fourth inning.

Astros manager Bo Porter looks on from the dugout during the fourth inning.

Photo: Brian Blanco / Getty Images

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Jon Singleton catches a pop up during the fourth inning.

Jon Singleton catches a pop up during the fourth inning.

Photo: Brian Blanco / Getty Images

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Jon Singleton bats during the first inning.

Jon Singleton bats during the first inning.

Photo: Chris O'Meara / Associated Press

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Brandon Guyer, right, scores in front of Jason Castro on a squeeze bunt during the fourth inning.

Brandon Guyer, right, scores in front of Jason Castro on a squeeze bunt during the fourth inning.

Photo: Chris O'Meara / Associated Press

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Dexter Fowler bats during the first inning.

Dexter Fowler bats during the first inning.

Photo: Chris O'Meara / Associated Press

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Collin McHugh, right, reacts as he waits for a visit from pitching coach Brent Strom during the third inning.

Collin McHugh, right, reacts as he waits for a visit from pitching coach Brent Strom during the third inning.

Photo: Chris O'Meara / Associated Press

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Collin McHugh, right, reacts as he waits for a visit from pitching coach Brent Strom during the third inning.

Collin McHugh, right, reacts as he waits for a visit from pitching coach Brent Strom during the third inning.

Photo: Chris O'Meara / Associated Press

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James Loney scores on a single in the fourth inning.

James Loney scores on a single in the fourth inning.

Photo: Will Vragovic / McClatchy-Tribune News Service

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Injured reliever Bass progressing nicely, close to rehab assignment

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As general manager Jeff Luhnow said early in the week, injured righthanded reliever Anthony Bass has progressed enough to be close to a rehab assignment.

“I think Bass is close because he’s actually thrown off the mound and he’s progressing well and he’s getting close,” Bo Porter said. “I haven’t seen any reports of anyone else getting on the mound, but Bass is close.”

Luhnow said earlier in the week that Bass will likely start a rehab next week.